13 Oct Cosmo Couture

A bearded lady, a contortionist, a snake charmer and a fire eater – just some of the circus inspired acts that fostered the creativity by interior designers for the 7th Annual Cosmo Couture Fashion & Design event that took place on Thursday, September 29th. The annual event produced by the Washington Metro City Center (WMCC) of the International Interior Design Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter (IIDA-MAC), payed tribute to the Big Top in grand form in which local architecture and interior design firms and manufacturing partners created apparel out of interior materials reflecting the given theme. Garments are constructed out of interior materials such as tile, carpet, wood, vinyl, glass and rubber – materials used in the built environment and finding ways to apply them to haute couture fashion, creating a bridge between fashion and architecture. This year guests of the event enjoyed a fun night under the big top featuring the following circus inspired creations: Acrobat, Bearded Lady, Clown, Contortionist, Dancing Bear, Elephant, Fire Eater, Fortune Teller, Half Man / Half Woman, Harlequin, Horse Dancer, Human Cannonball, Lion Tamer, Magician, Mime, Motorcycle Stunt Driver, Siamese Twins, Snake Charmer, Strong Man, Sword Swallower, Tight-Rope Walker, Trapeze, Uni-cyclist, Ventriloquist and a Ring Master. The event was co-emceed by WJLA-ABC7’s Meteorologist Steve Rudin and traffic reporter Jamie Sullivan. Twenty-five design teams participated in this year’s event. Designs were then judged by an elite panel of judges and awards will be given in various categories. The 2016 Cosmo Couture beneficiary is Rebuilding Together of Washington, DC (RTDC). RTDC’s mission is to preserve and revitalize low-income homes and community facilities in our Nation’s Capital. RTDC makes free home repairs for low-income DC homeowners who are Veterans, elderly, disabled or caring for young children in seriously deteriorating conditions and for nonprofit community centers that serve DC’s most vulnerable citizens of all ages. RTDC’s home repairs enable low-income homeowners to remain in their homes, where they can live in warmth and safety with independence and dignity. To date, the IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter has donated over $100,000 to previously selected charities from Cosmo Couture proceeds during the past six years.